Difference between revisions of "Gender"
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| − | Gender (''liṅga'') is the fact of being either male or female (S.V,204). The Buddha described gender as being distinguished by either male (''purisindriya'') or female (''itthindriya'') thoughts, occupation, attire, interests, impulses, voice, appearance, scent, etc (A.I,1; IV,57). It is clear from this that he saw gender as a combination of material and psychological, inborn and acquired, factors. This means that while both genders are conditioned to a very high degree by their bodies, they do have the ability to transcend the psychological and social aspects of gender. Thus, as far as the potential to attain enlightenment is concerned, men and women are equal. The Buddha said that women are as capable of becoming enlightened as men (Vin.V,254): ‘Whether it be a woman or whether it be a man, whoever travels in the Chariot of Dhamma will draw close to Nirvāṇa.’ (S.I,33) | + | [[Gender]] (''[[liṅga]]'') is the fact of being either {{Wiki|male}} or {{Wiki|female}} (S.V,204). The [[Buddha]] described [[gender]] as being distinguished by either {{Wiki|male}} (''[[purisindriya]]'') or {{Wiki|female}} (''[[itthindriya]]'') [[thoughts]], {{Wiki|occupation}}, attire, interests, impulses, {{Wiki|voice}}, [[appearance]], scent, etc (A.I,1; IV,57). It is clear from this that he saw [[gender]] as a combination of material and [[psychological]], inborn and acquired, factors. This means that while both [[genders]] are [[conditioned]] to a very high {{Wiki|degree}} by their [[bodies]], they do have the ability to transcend the [[psychological]] and {{Wiki|social}} aspects of [[gender]]. Thus, as far as the potential to attain [[enlightenment]] is concerned, men and women are {{Wiki|equal}}. The [[Buddha]] said that women are as capable of becoming [[enlightened]] as men (Vin.V,254): ‘Whether it be a woman or whether it be a man, whoever travels in the Chariot of [[Dhamma]] will draw close to [[Nirvāṇa]].’ (S.I,33). |
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| − | ‘Origins of Gender Differentiation and Sexuality as Represented in the Buddhist and Christian Genesis Myths,’ P. D. Premasiri, in Buddhist Studies,2001. | + | Despite this, women in [[traditional]] [[Buddhist]] cultures, as in most other cultures, have long been treated as {{Wiki|inferior}} to men. This {{Wiki|discrimination}} has also extended to the [[religious]] [[life]] generally and the [[monastic]] vocation in particular. In doing this, [[traditional]] [[Buddhist]] cultures have ignored the [[Buddha’s]] high {{Wiki|ideal}} that the [[spiritual]] quest should be open to all despite {{Wiki|status}}, race or [[gender]]. On the other hand, [[Buddhist]] cultures have never subjected women to purdah, genital mutilation, enforced widowhood, {{Wiki|widow}} burning, etc. |
| + | Occasionally the [[Buddhist scriptures]] mention {{Wiki|hermaphrodites}} (''[[paṇḍaka]]''), [[people]] who are born with both {{Wiki|male}} and {{Wiki|female}} genitals (A.III,128). {{Wiki|Hermaphroditism}} does not constitute a separate [[gender]] because it is a rare endocrine deformity, not a naturally occurring state. {{Wiki|Hermaphroditism}} should not be confused with {{Wiki|homosexuality}}, which is dispositional rather than {{Wiki|biological}}. | ||
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| + | ‘Origins of [[Gender]] Differentiation and {{Wiki|Sexuality}} as Represented in the [[Buddhist]] and {{Wiki|Christian}} Genesis [[Myths]],’ P. D. Premasiri, in [[Buddhist]] Studies,2001. | ||
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[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=150 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=150 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:04, 23 November 2013
Gender (liṅga) is the fact of being either male or female (S.V,204). The Buddha described gender as being distinguished by either male (purisindriya) or female (itthindriya) thoughts, occupation, attire, interests, impulses, voice, appearance, scent, etc (A.I,1; IV,57). It is clear from this that he saw gender as a combination of material and psychological, inborn and acquired, factors. This means that while both genders are conditioned to a very high degree by their bodies, they do have the ability to transcend the psychological and social aspects of gender. Thus, as far as the potential to attain enlightenment is concerned, men and women are equal. The Buddha said that women are as capable of becoming enlightened as men (Vin.V,254): ‘Whether it be a woman or whether it be a man, whoever travels in the Chariot of Dhamma will draw close to Nirvāṇa.’ (S.I,33).
Despite this, women in traditional Buddhist cultures, as in most other cultures, have long been treated as inferior to men. This discrimination has also extended to the religious life generally and the monastic vocation in particular. In doing this, traditional Buddhist cultures have ignored the Buddha’s high ideal that the spiritual quest should be open to all despite status, race or gender. On the other hand, Buddhist cultures have never subjected women to purdah, genital mutilation, enforced widowhood, widow burning, etc. Occasionally the Buddhist scriptures mention hermaphrodites (paṇḍaka), people who are born with both male and female genitals (A.III,128). Hermaphroditism does not constitute a separate gender because it is a rare endocrine deformity, not a naturally occurring state. Hermaphroditism should not be confused with homosexuality, which is dispositional rather than biological.
‘Origins of Gender Differentiation and Sexuality as Represented in the Buddhist and Christian Genesis Myths,’ P. D. Premasiri, in Buddhist Studies,2001.
